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Life's Illusions - 10 years on - Chapter 36
In Montclair Woody had arranged a meeting with his parents and Jacqueline.
It was possibly one of the shortest meetings Woody had ever held, his Mother was not surprised by the statement he'd made, even though it meant changes, most surprising to all of them was the reaction from his Father.
PJ was clearly furious, to the point he held up his hands, refusing to discuss the matter, he'd stood, glaring at Woody, saying only one word before walking out of the room.
"Judas".
And he was gone, the door slamming loudly to mark his exit.
They were all stunned.
It had started out as a seed in Woody's mind well before his Aunt Rosa's death, she'd been urging his Uncle Leo to reduce the amount of time he put into working, to become semi retired, hand the reigns of his company to younger members, take the time to enjoy his family before it was too late.
Rosa's words kept coming back to him, seeming more like a warning after her death, Woody had pondered them long and hard.
Jacqueline caught him on numerous occasions just staring at her, and at the children, deep in thought.
Woody was concerned but he didn't raise the subject with anyone, no matter, Jacqueline wasn't fooled, they'd been together far too long for her not to know when Woody was troubled, and she could see he was troubled, so she made it her mission to find out exactly what it was that had him so conflicted.
She'd arranged a weekend break at their Apartment in Paris, he'd been quiet, deep in thought for most of the weekend, out walking or at dinner, he was so deep in thought he hardly heard her conversation, he was completely taken aback when she'd urged him to tell her what was troubling him.
"I know you too well Woody, you can't hide it from me, something is gnawing at you, it's why I suggested this break, I wanted you here, where there are no distractions, somewhere you can't evade me, I want you to tell me what it is that's worrying you, and we're not going anywhere until you do".
He'd stared at her, surprised she'd picked up on his concerns, but then realising he shouldn't be, she really did know him that well.
"It's several things really, I've never felt like this before, it's hard to admit, but for the first time ever, I'm tired my love, tired of trying to keep up".
He paused to think, Jacqueline waited for him to go on.
"Leo's guys have told me our security needs upgrading, intelligence they have suggests we're prime targets for some of these nut job fanatics, I've already taken care of the kids security, they want me to have a personal security guard which I really need to look into, the same for you when you leave The Chateau".
He paused looking directly at her, trying to weigh up if he'd given her enough to satisfy her without going further, her expression said no.
"I want to retire, not fully, but enough that I can actually draw breath, so you and I can spend more time together, do more with the children, I seem to have been working forever, I used to enjoy it, I don't anymore, I resent the amount of time I have to spend away from you and the family, and I'm tired Jacqueline, physically and mentally, there are days when I want to do nothing more than sleep, of course I can't, it seems as if my schedule gets greater not smaller".
Jacqueline saw his expression but she didn't understand what was causing him concern, they were extremely wealthy, she knew it wasn't money.
"I agree, you should reduce the amount you do, so what's the problem, why are you worried, isn't it simply a matter of finding someone to take over your duties, and why haven't you addressed the security issue for yourself, it's not something you can put off Woody, get it done".
Woody looked apprehensive, worried even.
"I'll deal with the security issues shortly, I promise, as for the other thing, It's the actual role I want to relinquish which is causing me concern, it's one I've always been in line to assume, I don't recall ever having been asked if I want it or not, in fact it's my own fault, I took it on eagerly when I was younger, it's always been taken for granted I would do it, the very thought that I want to walk away from it makes me worry, if I do walk away I know I'll be hurting deeply someone very dear to me".
Jacqueline had been listening intently, she didn't know exactly what Woody meant but she knew only two of his business roles were this important, his role in Montclair Winery and his role at the head of Woodruff Corporate.
"Tell me Woody, though I think I already know what your answer will be, which role is it you're referring to, and who do you think will be hurt by your decision?".
Woody put his arm around Jacqueline's shoulder drawing her in close.
"It's Woodruff, I don't want to have that pressure any more, I'm conscious of the fact I'm already doing it a serious disservice with my attitude, it needs, and it deserves better, but I just don't have the energy I once had".
Jacqueline hugged him closer, encouraging him to go on.
"In years gone by, when I was younger, I had all the energy in the world, I was able to flit between roles, each new project or problem energised me, they seemed to spur me on, but now, it's not the same, I've come to dread the next problem, I don't want the role any longer, but I worry I'll seriously disappoint Poppa, hurt him even, he's always expected I'll be the one to take the helm and I can't, Woodruff is something Great Gramps and Poppa built, yes I've given it every help in the past but it's never been mine".
He paused to think.
"Montclair is my priority, the company we started, worked at, built into the respected name and brand it is today, that's what I want to be involved in going forward, so Woodruff has to go".
Jacqueline knew Woody's concerns were real, she was well aware of the loyalty both PJ and Woody gave to any business they were involved in, but in the case of Woodruff, PJ was severely blinkered, he still, after all these years, saw Woodruff as his Grandfathers company, despite the fact it had grown beyond anything his Grandfather would have recognised, to become one of the leading Leisure Group Companies in the world.
She also knew that it had always been Woody, since he was twelve years old, that PJ had turned to in times of trouble, always Woody who steered Woodruff on a safe course, she could see how it might affect his relationship with his Father if Woody announced he no longer wanted to be active within Woodruff.
"I understand Woody, I know how PJ feels about Woodruff but look what happened to him when he took on too much, I worry about you, I don't want to lose you, we're not getting any younger, we have a wonderful family and it's time to let go some of the things others can do, I guess I'm saying I support you, I'll stand by you if things become difficult, but I think possibly we're worrying about something which is only a maybe right now".
Woody hugged her close.
"You're right, I'm probably blowing it out of all proportion in my mind, I need to tackle it, then we'll know where we stand.
And so they'd arranged the meeting, PJ and Lenny had flown over to Montclair from Torremolinas intending to stay for a few weeks.
Lenny, Woody and Jacqueline had continued discussing Woody's withdrawal from Woodruff, and his reasons, they all hoped PJ might see sense after he'd thought about his reaction and rejoin them, but it didn't happen.
A couple of hours after PJ left the room Lenny announced she was going to find him, to try talking some sense into him.
Within minutes Lenny was back, the look on her face told them something was seriously wrong.
"He's gone, he's left me here, taken the plane, I assume he's gone home to Torremolinas, I don't really know".
It only took one phone call from Lenny to Ben Caplin, PJ's Pilot, they were still in the air, that alone told Lenny they weren't headed for Torremolinas.
"Ben, it's Lenny, where are you headed?".
There had been a moments hesitation before Ben answered.
"En-route to Teterboro, I'm sorry Lenny, before you ask he's told me he won't take calls whoever it is, I think he expected you to call, he's in a foul mood, when I asked what was so important in New York he told me to mind my own business, do the job I was paid to do, unless I had plans to desert him too, what happened Lenny?, I've never seen him like this".
Lenny thanked Ben and promised she'd bring him up to date later, before ending the call.
Woody was completely devastated.
"I'm sorry Momma, it's all my fault, I knew he would be upset, I had no idea he would take it this badly, I'll go after him, I'll talk to him, I won't quit Woodruff".
Surprisingly it was Jacqueline who spoke next.
"You will quit Woodruff, and PJ will deal with it, I won't loose you because you're Poppa is being an idiot, I apologise Lenny but PJ is wrong on this and I'm not backing down, I'll come with you Woody but you be very clear what page of the hymn book we are singing from, I love you too much to see you work yourself into an early grave because your Father is throwing a strop, Woodruff is important, but it's not worth your life".
Lenny was certainly not arguing and made it clear that an apology was not necessary, at that moment she was seriously angry with her husband.
Lenny called Pip, their PA, and asked for one of their planes to be sent to Nice.
Woody could tell his Mother was upset.
"Momma, please don't take this the wrong way, I'd rather you didn't come with me, this is something I need to straighten out with Poppa and I can see how angry you are with him, it won't help, Jacqueline the same goes for you, I'm sorry my love, but this is something Poppa and I need to resolve, I'll go alone".
Woody's flight left Nice at midday the following day, but he never reached Teterboro.
Woody had vanished.
Boarding the flight at Nice, he didn't know the flight crew, but he had no reason to be suspicious, his Father employed around twenty flight crew to operate his three aircraft, Woody only knew a handful of the time served members.
Within minutes of him boarding they were airborne and soon he was being served coffee, that was the last thing he remembered, he'd been drugged.
When he awoke he was disoriented, his hands and feet were tied, at first he struggled before realisation kicked in.
He'd been placed in one of the bedroom cabins, he'd heard the door open behind him but he couldn't see who had come in, no matter, the voice and the words spoken were enough to send chills down his spine.
"Don't fight us and you might survive this, you are our hostage, about now we are communicating with your family, a large ransom will be asked, if you're good for it you might make it home, though I very much doubt it".
His words left Woody in no doubt, these people didn't intend for him to survive this plan, if he was to survive, he had to try and do it on his own.
For Jacqueline and Lenny it suddenly became the worst day of their lives.
Jacqueline, along with Lenny, had been meeting with a collection of business women from Montclair, when her brother Jaque had interrupted their meeting.
Being unaware of the unfolding situation, she took the opportunity to impress her guests by introducing her brother using his full title.
"Ladies, I would like you to meet my brother, The Vicomte Montclair".
Jaque didn't wait for a response he interrupted Jacqueline.
"Jacqueline, Lenny, I have to speak with both of you in private, immediately".
Clearly confused as to why Jaque would act so rudely in front of their guests, Jacqueline and Lenny followed Jaque into an adjoining room where he indicated the phone was on hold, after shutting the door, he pressed the speaker button.
Immediately Josef's voice could be heard.
"Aunt Jacqueline, I'm sorry, I have bad news, I've asked Poppa to join me, he is on the line as well, he wants to talk to you".
Jacqueline was intrigued, wanting to know what Reece and Josef had to say, but at the same time not wanting to hear anything that might mean she should be afraid.
Reece spoke before she could answer.
"Jacqueline, I'm sorry, I have really bad news, Woody's been kidnapped, his flight's been high jacked, we haven't had any confirmation from the high jackers but Josef's operatives have been monitoring the flight talk, we know his flight was taken over, we just don't know by who, or where they've taken him yet".
For Jacqueline it was like a dagger to the heart, her Woody, out there, with some lunatic, at their mercy, without realising it she screamed.
The ladies of Montclair were chatting amongst themselves a few moments later when screams of anguish shocked them.
The housekeeper informed Jacqueline's guests that she, and her Mother in Law, had received some particularly distressing news and would be unavailable for the rest of the day, ushering the guests quickly out of the Chateau, both Jacqueline's and Lenny's wails could clearly still be heard.
In Torremolinas Leo received the news by phone from Josef.
"Uncle Leo, we need you here, Uncle Woody's been taken hostage".
Leo was shocked but in his normal manner he didn't show it.
"I'm on my way, get Casey Black in, tell him I need him".
In New York PJ was sitting in his office talking with Josh when Brian knocked and entered.
"PJ, Lenny's on line one, you need to take it".
PJ's expression showed his irritation at being disturbed, he didn't look up from the paperwork he was studying.
"Tell her I'm busy, I'll call her later".
Neither PJ nor Josh expected what Brian did next, he wiped his hand across the desk, scattering the papers in all directions.
"Take the fuckin call PJ, there's something seriously wrong, Lenny's in tears".
At the mention of Lenny in tears PJ stood and grabbed for the phone.
"Lenny what is it, are you okay?".
Her words stunned him, caused him to drop back into his chair.
"Woody's been kidnapped, there's been a message, they haven't said what they want, only that they're going to kill him if we don't do exactly as they ask, my baby boy".
He couldn't understand anything else she said her sobbing was too much, Leo came on the line.
"PJ, it's Leo, we're on conference with Montclair and our Headquarters, I'm working with Josef and Juan, we're trying to trace where they have him, I'll keep you updated, don't leave New York, for the moment everyone is bunkered down, I'm forbidding any member of the family from traveling, besides, you may be closer to him than we are, he was on his way to see you, so it makes sense they may have him in the US somewhere".
PJ mumbled a reply but he found that was all he could do, a few minutes earlier he'd been angry with Woody, now he was guilt ridden, Woody had been on his way to see him, no doubt to apologise, to tell him he would carry on in his role at Woodruff, if he hadn't boarded that plane he would be safe at Montclair.
PJ called Jacqueline but he'd received the response of a wounded lioness, not the loving Daughter in Law he thought he knew.
"Don't you dare try and tell me how upset you are you bastard, you caused this, if you'd stayed and discussed what Woody asked instead of running away, he wouldn't have been vulnerable, now your precious Woodruff will have to survive without him, and it will, that's the irony, it will, but my Woody won't, my precious Woody who never hurt a sole, they'll kill him".
He'd wanted to tell her he knew how she felt, that he was sorry, that he would do everything he could to get Woody back, but Jacqueline had cut him off before he could reply.
TBC ARB Allan
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